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BALTIMORE 

COUNTY 



F. W. BESLEY State Forester 




BALTIMORE, MARVi .A iv; :• 
AUGUST, 192; 



MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY 

F. W. BESLEY. State Forester. 



THE FORESTS 

—OF— 

BALTIMORE 
COUNTY 



BY 

F. W. BESLEY, State Forester 




BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 
AUGUST, 1921 



STATE FORESTER'S OFFICE 

815 CALVERT BUILDING 

BALTIMORE 



F. W. BEiSLEY. State Forester 

KARL E. PFEIFFER Assistant Forester 

JOiSHUA A. COPE Assistant Forester 

SAMUEL CQiROBIN Assistant Forester 

INJELLIE E. WHITCKAFT Secretary 

SARA M. REESE Clerk 




ooouments oiviaioN 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Initroduction 5 

Land Classification 5 

Distribution of the Forests 6 

Stand and V'alue of Saw Tim^ber by Election Districts 7 

Description of the Forests 6 

Ridge Type 7 

Slope Type 7 

Bottom Type 7 

Commercial Types , 7 

Hardwood Type 8 

Pine Type 8 

Mixed Type 9 

Native Forest Trees 9 

List of Trees 9-11 

Important Timber Trees and Their Chief Uses 11 

Oaks :■. . . .-. :tt: . ,':::"'. 11 

White Oaks! .\ ' 11 

Red Oaks ' 12 

Chestnut ,....: 12 

Tulip <>Poplar . . . . ,' ■. 13 

HicKory 13 

Locust 13 

Ash 13 

Black Walnut 14 

The Lumber and Timber Chit 14 

Summary ^ 15 

Lumber 15 

Veneer Logs 15 

Railroad Ties 15 

Poles 16 

Copper Poles 16 

Piling 16 

Cordwood 16 

Miscellaneous Products 17 

The Wood-Using Industries 18 

Men Employed in Maryland by Industries 18 

Amount of Wood Used, Source and Cost 18 



Protecting the Forest 1" 

Forest Fires 18 

The Effect of Fire 18 

Preventive Measures 18 

Destructive Cutting Methods 19 

Grazing 19 

Insects and Fungi 19 

Forest Management 20 

Forest Planting 23 

Trees for Forest Planting 23 

Black Locust 

"Wlhite Pine 24 

Red Oak > : . . 24 

Other iSpecies 

Basket Willow Culture 25 

Summary 26 

Forest Map 27 



The Forests Of Baltimore County- 



INTRODUCTION. 

A forest survey of Baltimore Oounty, made by the State Board of 
Forestry a few years ago, resulted in detailed information concerning 
the character and composition of the forests, the stand of timber, the 
different wood uses, the amount of timber being- cut, and the damage 
by fire and other dtestructive agencies, and forms the basis for this 
report. The large forest map, found on the inside back cover of the 
report, greatly supplements the information herein contained. 

Baltimore County, the third largest ini the State, has important 
forest resources. It ranks third in the value of its forest products 
and ninth in total wooded area. It ranks second in area of improved 
farm land and has the largest assessed value of any county in the 
Sitate. Its proximity to Baltimore City, with its rapidly expanding 
industrial development®, gives it an excellent market for all classes 
of forest products. 

The County lies in two physiographic divisions, the Piedmx)nt and 
the Coastal Plain. Since only about one tenth of the land area em- 
bracing the southeastern section lies in the Coastal Plain, the surface 
is distinctly characteristic of the Piedmont with its rolling hills in- 
terspersed with a few valleys. 

The County is traversed by five lines of railroad, covering 120 
miles, and by 900 miles of improved highway, rendering all parts 
accessible. 

LAND CLASSIFICATION. 

Improved Farmland 230,471 acres 58% 

Wooded Area 103,515 " 24% 

Waste Land 65,739 " . 17% 

Salt Marsh Land 3,456 " 1% 

403,181 " 100% 



8 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

DISTRIBUTION OF THE FORESTS. 

Outside of the suburban development in the vicinity of Baltimore, 
there is little clearing of land, and comiparatively little cleared land 
is reverting to fo^rest. It appears that one will about off-set the 
other, so that a "status quo" is maintained. It is not likely that 
there will be ^a^y decided change in forest distribution for many 
years to oome. 

Twenty-four per cent, of the land area of the County is in forests. 
This is distinctively an agricultural county and the forest areas are, 
generally, distributed in woodlots of varying sizes from ten to a hun- 
dred acres, interspersed with cleared lands, the exception being in 
the southheastem part in the Coastal Plain, where there arie a few 
large areas of continuous forests. This is true to a limited extent 
in the northern part of the County around Parkton, and also in the 
central part between. Cockeysville and O'wings Mills. 

The forest® are largely confined to rocky ridges, steep slopes, 
and flats along streams. It is a county of high agricultural develop- 
ment where arable land and forest land are sharply divided. 

The fifteenth district contains the largest acreage of woodland 
and also the highest percentage, sixty-nine, while the twelfth district 
contains the smallesit acreage of woodland, and 'also the smallest per- 
centage of wooded area, amounting to 11%. The eleventh district 
contains timber of the highest stumpage value. Only eight of the 
districts of the County contain any pine of merchantable size, and 
of this, seventy-five per cent, is in the fifteenth districts 

Table I shows the area, stand, and value of saw timber by election 
districts. Distribution and character of the forests are graphically 
shown on the maip at the end of the report. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE FORESTS. 

The forests of the County are almost entirely of the hardwood 
type. In the stand of timber, the hardwoods constitute ninety-six 
per cent., while the pine constitutes only four per cent. Twenty- 
four per cent, of the land area is in forest, which is about the right 
proportion for the best economical development. 

Rollinig hills with ridges, slopes, and valleys produce three forest 
types, — ^notaibly, the ridge type consisting of chestnut, chestnut oak, 
and scarfet oak, as the prevailing tree species ; the slope type in which 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 



STANDARD VALUE OF SAW TIMBER BY ELECTION DISTRICTS, TABLE I. 



Dist. 
No. 



1 I 
I 

2 i 

3 I 
I 

M 

5 I 

6 I 
7 

8 

9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 I 



-2 c ® 

O aj H 






W-o 



Stand of Saw Timber in Board Feel 
;Doyle Log Rule). All Trees More 
Than Nine Inches in Diameter. 



Acres. 



Acres. 



17,460 
28,750 
20,820 
37,580 
28,290 
22,870 
52,670 
41,273 
23,370 
30,980 
42,930 
8,180 
9,178 
14,180 

23.650 I 

I 



5,164 
8,744 
4,820 
8,624 
4,487 
7,089 
8,142 
9,207 
5,160 
6,120 

14,413 

873 

1,186 

3,087 

16,399 



% 



30 
29 
23 
23 
16 






8,529 
18,497 
11,241 
20,841 
10,145 






24 

36 
155 
396 



31 


1 

8,475 




15 


10,485 


56 


22 


24,330 




22 


14,333 




20 


14,325 




34 


30,427 


1,152 


11 


668 




13 


1,525 




27 


4,696 


102 


69 


22,835 

1 


6,070 



Co.l 403,181 I 103,515 | 24 | 201,352 | 7,991 



-fe 



o "O 

EhCQ 



J- a 



8,553 
18,497 
11,277 
20,996 
10,541 



8,475 
10,541 
24,330 
14,333 
14,325 
31,579 
668 



68,232 
147,976 

89,928 
166,728 

81,160 

67,800 

83,880 i 
I 
194,640 

114,664 

114,600 

243,416 

5,344 i 



1,525 I 12,200 I 

I 
I 
I 



I 
4,798 I 

28,905 I 

I 



37,568 



Stumpage Value. 



Pho 



$192 I 

288 I 

1,240 I 

3,168 I 

448 



9,216 



816 



182,680 I 48,560 | 

I 



$68,424 

147,976 

90,216 

167,968 

84,328 

67,800 

84,328 

194,640 

114,664 

114,600 

252,632 

5,344 

12,200 

38,384 

231,240 



209,343 I 1,610,816 I $63,928 | $1,674,744 



10 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

the chesitnut, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak of the upper 
slopes give way to Ted oak, tulip, and hickory on the lower slope ; and 
the bottom type found along streams or low" flat lands, consisting 
principally of red maple, ash, elm, birch, and sycamore. 

Ridge Type. — This type of forest, occupying as it does the rocky 
ridges with thin soil of poor quality, has the least valuable forest 
growth. On the other hand, this land is not suitable for any other 
purpose, and is better adapted to the growing of forests than for any 
other use. 

Slope Type. — The slope ty^Q contains deeper soils with a greater- 
amount of moisture, therefore, producing a correspondingly heavy 
stand of timber. It is also noted that the trees are taller and, better 
developed on this type than on the ridge type. 

Bottom Type. — The bottom type is found on the deeper, moister 
soils and where there is not excessive moisture, the sta-nds are heavy 
and well developed. Frequently, however, forests of this type are on 
wet, or poorly drained, soil, which retards growth and produces 
a poorer quality of timber. 

Practically all of the forests have been cut over one or more 
tinues. Since the more valuable species have beeni cut the heaviest, 
constant culling has changed the; relative proportion of the different 
species and caused considerable deterioration of the stand. The chest- 
nut has nearly all been killed by the chestnut blight and is now being 
replaced by a natural growth of oaks, poplar, and hickory. In the 
laean time, there has been a tremendous waste caused hj the failure 
to utilize the chestnut before it became worthless. 

The use of the forest and the intensity of cutting has varied 
inversely with the distance from the railroad, ot the difficulty of log- 
ging. Some of the best timber is now found \\\ inaccessible places, 
such as steep slopes or along ravines of difficult access. 

COMMERiCIAL TYPES. 

In the forest survey of the county, the forests were divided into 
three general classes, — hardwoods, pines, and mixed hardwood and 
pines. The hardwoods were divided into tAvo classes, — the merchant- 
able and the culled forests, the merchantable indicated on the map 
by the letter ''M" and divided into two sub-divisions, depending upon 
the stand of timber per acre, while the culled forests, indicated by 




PLATE I. PIG. 1 



FIG. 1.— PORTABLE SAW-MTLL, NEAR ILCHESTFR 
There are about 49 operating in the County ^• 




PLATE I. 
An operation in a 30- 



Fia. 2.-THE PRODUCT OF A PORTABLE SAW-MILL 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 11 

the symbol " C " are divided into three sub-divisions, according to the 
stand 'of timber per acre. The merchantable forests indicate stands 
in which there is a sufficient amount of timber to justify logging 
operations, while the culled forests are usually those of immature 
growth, where the stand of timber is not sufficient to warrant logging 
operations. The pine forests, which are founid sparingly, except in 
the southeastern section of the County, and practically all consisting 
of scrub pine, are indicated by the symbol "S," and are, likewise, 
sub-divided into three classes on a basis of stand of timber. The bulk 
of the pine, however, is found in miixed stands with hardwood, indi- 
cated by a combined symbol " C " and " S ", showing a culled hard- 
wood and pine class. Of this type, there are three classes, depending 
upon the proportion and size of the pine and of the hardwood in 
mixture. 

By referring to the map in the back of this report, the different 
tA^pes and their arranigement will be clearly demonstrated. 

Hardwood Type. — ^This is the prevailing type throughout the 
County and' comprises more than 95 per cent, of the total forested 
area., The three main sub-types under this are merchantable hiarcl- 
woods, culled hardwoods, and hardwood seedlings. The former 
repiresenits 'areas containing suffiicient trees of mature size to make 
logging operations profitable. This type is sub-divided into two class- 
es accordinig to the stand of tim;ber per acre. 

The culled hardwood class represents areas that have) been more 
or less out over, and where the stand of timber' is not considered 
heavy enough to make the lumber operationis entirely practicable. 
Many of these stands contain scattered trees of large size and con- 
siderable value, but in most cases, they represent young stands not 
>et mature. The culled hardwoods are further sub-divided into three 
classes, acoording to the relative stand of timber per acre. 

The third class of hardwoods, the hardAvood seedlings, represents 
young stands, usually under itAventy feet in height, that contain noth- 
ing of sufficient size to be of merchantable value. 

TJie Pine Type. — The pine type, the smallest of the three meni- 
tioned, occupies very limited areas in different parts of the County. 
The bulk of it is found in the Middle River section, in the southeast- 
ern part of the County, and consists of scrub pine. This type is 
sub-divided into three sub-classes, differing according to the stand of 
i imber. 



]2 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

Mixed Type. — The third general type, consisting of a mixtnro 
of hardwood and pine, occupies limiited areas in the County, — ^the larger 
portion being in the southeastern seetioni. The total amount com- 
prises a very small percentage of the forested area. This type con- 
sists of stands of varyinig mixtures of hardwood and pine of varying 
sizes, as indicated 'by the letters and symbols on the map. 

NATIVE FOREST TREES. 

The native forest trees found in the County comprise an exten- 
sive list of 79 species. A large part of them are of commercial im- 
portance, while others are found only sparingly. The list below con- 
tains species native to the County which reach tree size. 

EVERGREEN OR NEEDLE-LEAIVED TREES. 
Common Name. Botanical Name. 

Scrub Pine Pinus virginiana 

Pitch Pine Pinus rigida 

White Pine Pinus strobus 

Short Leaf Pine Pinius echinarta 

Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana 

Hemlock Tsuga canandensis 

DECIDUOUS OR BROAD-LEAVEVD TREEJS. 

Common Name. Botanical Name. 

White Oak Quercus alba 

Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus 

Post Oak Quercus minor 

Swamp White Oak Quercus platanoides 

Burr Oak Quercus miacrocarpa 

Red Oak Quercus rubra 

Black Oak Quercus velutina 

Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea 

Spanish Oak Quercus digitata 

Pan Oak Quercus palustris 

Willow Oak Quercus phellos 

Black Jack Oak Quercus marilandica 

Shinigle Oak Quercus imbricaria 

Scrub Oak Quercus ilicifolia 

Chestnut Castanea dentata 



The Forests of Baltimore County. . 13 

Common Name. Botanical Name. 

Tulip Poplar Liriodendroiu tulipifera 

Mockernut Hickory .- . . Carya alba 

Pignut Hickory Carya glabra 

Shellbark Hickory Carya evata 

Small Pignut Carya microearpa 

Bitteraut Hickory Caiya minima 

Big Shellbark Hickory Carya laciniosa 

Black Walnut Juglans nigra 

Butternut Juglans cinerea 

Black Locust liobiniia pseudacacia 

Red Maple Acer rubrum 

Silver Maple Acer sacchadnum 

Sugar Maple Acer saccharum 

A,sh Leaved Maple Acer negundo 

Black Maple Acer nigrum 

I^eech Fagus americana 

Red G-um Liquidambar styraciflua 

Sour Gum Nyssa sylvatica 

Wild Black Cherry Prunus serotina 

Fire CheriT' Prunius pennsylvanica 

Bird Cherry Prunus avium 

White Elm Ulmus americana 

Slipipery Elm Ulmus pubescens 

Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 

Sassafras Sassafras sassafrais 

Persimmon Diospyros virginiana 

Basswood Tilia americana , 

Hackberry Celtis occidentalis 

Holly Ilex opaca 

White Willow SalLx allba 

Pussy Willow Salix discolour 

Black Willow Salix nigra 

Red Bud Cercis canadensis 

Dogwood Comus florida 

Blue Beech Carpinius ciaroliniana 

Shad Bush Amelanchier canadensis 

Trembling Aspen Populus tremuloides 

Big Toothed Aspen Populus grandidentata 



14 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

Common Name. Botanical Name. 

Balsam Poplar Populus balsamifera 

Hop Hornbeam Ostrya virgiiiiian-a 

Red Mulberry Morus rubra 

Paw Paw Asimina triloba 

Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana 

Swamp Magnolia Magnolia glaiiea 

Umbrella Tree Magnolia tripetala 

Coeikspnr Thorn Crataegus crus-galli 

Red' Birch Betula nigra 

Black Biirch Betula lenta 

White Ash Fraxinius americana 

Black Ash Fraxinus nigra 

Red Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 

Fringe Tree Ghionanthus virginica 

Hercules Club Aralia spiniosa 

Staghom Sumach Rhus hirta 

INTRODUCED TREES THAT HAVE BECOME COMMON IN THE 

FOREST. 
Common Name. Botanical Name. 

Honey Locust Gleditsia tricanthos 

Catalpa • Catalpa speciosa 

Ailanthus Ailanthus glandulosa 

Empress Tree Paulownia imperialis 

Osage Orange Madura pomifera 

IMPORTANT TIMBER TREES AND THEIR CHIEF USES. 

Nearly aR of the tree species found in the County are used to 
some extent, but taking only those Avhich, by reason of their abundance 
and good qualities, have an extensive use, the list may be reduced to 
comparitively few well recognized species. 

Oaks. — At the head of the list naturally stand the oaks which 
furnish 60 per cent, of the timber cut of the County. There is no 
class of wood that possesses strength and durability to such a marked 
extent as oak. The oaks may be divided commercially into two 
group s-the white oaks and the red oaks. 



The Forests op Baltimore County. 15 

Wlute Oaks. — This group includes a number of different species 
classed by timber opeirators under the general name of white oak. 
'i'he wood of the differenit species is very similar and difficult >to recog- 
nize, except by experts. For all practical purposes, the wood of one 
species is as good as another. The principal species included in this 
group are the true white oak, chestnut oak, post oak, and swamp 
Vv'hite oak. The true white oak furnishes about 80 per cent, of what 
is cut and sold as white oak, the chestnut oak about 12 per cent., 
and post oak and swamp white oak, the remainder. 

The wood of the white oak is especially tough and strong, and 
since it is so widely distributed over the County and conistitutes so 
large a percentage of the merchantable timber, it is the most impor- 
tant of all of the tree species. It is used locally for genciral con- 
struction purposes, and is extensively exported from the County 
for ear construction!, framing, bridge plank, furniture wood, cooper- 
age stock, railroad ties, piling, and a variety of other uses requiring 
high grade wood. 

Bed Oaks. — A number of different species of oak are sold as red 
oak, including black oak, red oak, scarlet oak, Spanish oak, pin oak, 
and willow oak. Sometimes, the last two mentioned are classed as 
water oaks, and sold at a somewhat lower price. Red oak is less 
durable than white oak, and for most purposes does not command 
so high a price. Like white oak, it is heavy, hard, strong, tough, but 
not so durable on exposure. 

For interior uses, such as furniture, finish', etc., it is the equal 
cf white oak, and sells for about the same price. Its chief uses are 
for general construction, ear stock, railroad ties, planking, furniture, 
and interior finish. The greatesit inerease in use has been for rail- 
road ties which take a large percentage of the cut. The wood of the 
red oak possesses all the requisite qualities for first class railroad 
ties, except its durability in contact with the soil. By treating the 
wood with a preservative, such as is in practice by all railroad com- 
panies, this obstacle is overcome, consequently red oak ties are now 
universally used. 

Chestnut. — ^Chestnut was formerly the most abundant tree spec- 
ies in the County, but due to the ravages of the chestnut blight, — a fun- 
gus disease which has been destroying chestnut timber for more than 
ten years, its status as a commoredal species seems doomed. The cut 



16 The Forests of Bai.timore County. 

at the present time, however, constitutes a very important item of 
tim'ber production, constituting about 20 per cent, of the total. It is 
more abundant in the northern half of the Counrty, and because of its 
durability in contact with soil, anid its excellent stem development, 
it is much in demand for telephone, telegraph, and electric light 
poles, railroad ties, and general construction purposes. TIhe wood 
is fairly light, soft, liable to warp and check in seasoning, easily 
split, coarse and brittle, but durable under exposure. There has 
been a great increase in the cutting of chestnut in the last few years, 
in the nature of salvage of timber affected by the blight. The cut, 
however, in the next few years, will rapidly fall off, due to exhaus- 
tion of supplies. 

Tulip Poplar. — This species, commonly known as yellow poplar, 
is a tree found scattered singly or in small groups in the forest, and 
is rarely found in aniything like pure stands. The wood is of fine 
texture, light, soft, easily worked, itakes paint readily, and holds 
its shape well, making it a favorite among wood users. It attains a 
larger size thani any other tree in the County, and is found in the 
deep, nuoist soils of ravines and lower slopes. It is used locally for 
weather boarding, sheathing, and general construction. The better 
grades are exported for furniture stock and initerior finish, cigar 
boxes, wagon bodiies, etc. The smaller and medium sized trees are eut 
extensively for pulpwood. 

Hickory. — Several species of hickory occur in the County anid 
are used indiscriminately. The principal species are mockernut 
and pignut hickorJ^ The wood has a highly specialized use for 
spoke timber and tool handles, for which it is fitted by its distinctive 
qualities of hardwood, strength, toughness, and flexibility. It is a 
tree found sparingly in the forest and associated with the oaks, tulip, 
poplar and chestnut. While the wood is very valuable, usually only 
a small percentage of the tree is sufficiently clear straight! grained to 
be acceptable for its special uses, hence it is not considered as a desir- 
able tree to encourage in the forest. As a fuel wood, it ranks very 
high. 

Locust. — This tree is abundant throughout the County, found 
on a variety of soils, and is the chief dependence for fence posts. 
It is a rapid growing' tree of quick maturity, furnishing a valuable 
product, and is highly desirable for forest planting. In addition 



The Forests op Baltimore County. 17 

to its local use for fence posts, the wood is specially used for insu- 
lator pine, and was used extensively during the War for tree nails 
in the construction of wooden ships. 

Ash. — Although five species of ash are recognized in the County, 
it is probably that white ash constitutes more than 90 per cent, of the 
cut. It is a tree growing in mixture with other species im the forest, 
and is found on the moister soils along water courses. The wood is 
very heavy, strong, straight^ grained, tough and elastic, and is used 
for car construction, furniture, vehicle manufacture, agricultural 
implements, tool handles, sporting goods, etc. Tlie amjount cut in the 
County is, relatively, small, and it is usually thrown in with other 
species, being cut for lumber and rairoad ties, although occasionally 
selected logs are shipped for use in special wood using industries. 

Black Walnut. — Walnut brings a higher price per thousand feet 
than any other wood, and during the War, immense quantities were 
cut and shipped out of the County for the manufacturei of gun stocks 
and aeroplane propellers. It is a tree fo'und along the edges of fields 
and ravines on the farm, ra)ther than in the forest. Where it grows, 
it is a short stemmed, wide branching tree having a low! percentage 
of merchantable content, so that .the values received are not high as 
compared with the length of time required to grow the tree to com- 
mercial size, and the amount of space that it occupies. The wood is 
fine grained, hard, strong, durable, and easily worked. It is highly 
prized as a cabinet and furniture wood. 

THE LUMBER AND TIMBER CUT. 

There were forty-nine saw-mills operating in Baltimore County 
in 1920, which produced 7,585,000 feet board measure of lumber, 
together with 101,150 sawed railroad ties and other timber and wood 
products. In addition to the saw-mill operatoa^s, miany of whom, got 
out other timber products than lumber and railroad ties, there were 
at least ten others not operating saw-mills who produced poles, piling, 
veneer logs, or cordwood exclusively. 

The lumber and timber cut of the County has fallen off con- 
siderably in the last six years, the lumber production for 1920, being 
below that of 1914 by nearly two and a half million feet, or a falling 
off of more than 28 per cent. In the same time, tie production has 



18 The Forests of Bai^timore County. 

fallen off 28 per cent., piling 40 per cent., and cordwood 60 per cent. 
The reduced ontput of lumber and timber products is due mainly to 
the depleted timber supplies. In the same time, however, timlber 
values have greatly increased so that the value ait the shipping points 
for lumber and timber production! in 1920 was 88 per cent, greater 
than in 1914. 

SUMMARY OF LUMBER AND TIMBER CUT, 1920 TABLE IL 

Value At 
Product Amount Shipping Point 

LumJber 6,235,000 Bd. Ft. $249,400 

Veneer Logs 2,600,000 " " 130,000 

R. R. Ties 101,150 " " 96,000 

Poles 7,175 '' " 64,575 

Copper Poles 4,770 tons 19,000 

Piling 2,700 pieces ' 19,000 

Cordwood 1,800 cords 14,400 

Total ..$592,375 

Lumber. — The lumber cut of the County consisted almost entire- 
ly of hardwoods, the amount of pine being negligible. Of the 6,235, 
000 feet board measure, produced, 70 per cent, was oak ; 15 per cent., 
tuMp poplar; 10 rper cent., chestnut; and, 5 per cent, miscellaneous 
species. Five years ago, chestnut formed nearly, 50 per cent, of the 
lumber cut. The sudden dropping off is due to the destruction of 
the species by the chestnut blight. A great bulk of the lumber is cut 
by portable mills which usually operate but a few months in the year, 
generally during the fall and winter', although a few operate the year 
round. There are several operated by water power, doing a small 
custom sawing business. 

The value of the lumber output, delivered at shipping points, is 
estimated at $249,400. 

Veneer Logs. — For many years, the cutting and shipping of 
high grade logs from selected trees, particularly for the export trade, 
has been followed. In recent years, however, since the beginning of 
the War, there has been little or no demand for such export woods. 
In its place, however, has come a demand for large, high grade logs 
for the veneer plants located at Baltimore, and in adjoining states. 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 19 

This is particularly true of tulip poplar used largely for veneer, 
basket making, and for cigar boxes. The cut of such material amount- 
ed to 2,600,000 board feet, the value f. o. b. cars at $50 per thousand, 
making a total of $130,000. 

Railroad Ties. — The production of railroad ties has always been 
an important industry in the County. Some years ago, when labor 
costs were not so high, a considerable proportion of ties were hewn. 
Now, however, practically all are sawed. About 70 per cent, are oak, 
20 per cent, chestnut, and 10 per cent, miscellaneous species. The 
total number cut in 1920 was 101,150 of the different grades, the 
average price at the railroad being 95 cents, making a total value 
of $96,092. 

Poles. — Poles used by the telephone, telegraph, electric light, and 
trolley companies around Baltimore and vicinity drew heavily upon 
the rapidly diminishing chestnut pole supply of the County. Pole 
compandes are finding it increasingly idifficult to secure the supply 
of poles from local sources. During 1920, 7,175 poles varying in 
lengths from 20 to 50 feet, averaging about 35 feet, were sold from 
the forests of the County. The average price f . o.' b. cars was $9.00, 
making a total value of $64,575. This did not include a large num- 
ber of poles furnished by woodland owners in the construction of 
local lines, or for replacement, in such lines. 

Copper Poles. — Copper poles, so called, are used at the copper 
smelters in Baltimore in the process of reducing ore to the pure metal. 
They consist of poles of varying length, although usually 30 feet long, 
and 3 inches, or over, at the small end, any kind of hardwood being 
taken. 4,770 tons of such poles were cut in 1920, which, at the value 
of $4.00 per ton f.' o. b. cars, give a total value of $19,080 for this 
product. 

Piling. — The demand for piling has fallen off very sharply since 
the War, but still constitutes an important product of Baltimore 
County's forests. This special use requires a strong wood in reason- 
ably straight sticks, dak, including both white and red, were the 
only kinds cut for this purpose. The production for the year amount- 
ed to 2,700 pieces, ranging from 30 to 60 feet, averaging about 35 
feet in length, and worth $7.00 each f. o. b. cars, making a total 
value of $18,900, 



20 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

Cordwood. — The iiicreasing cost of coal and the difficulty of ob- 
taining it has increased the market for cordwood. The high cost of 
cutting it, however, has been a seriousi drawback, so that the amount 
cut and sold was not large,— about 1,800 cords, which, at a value of 
$8.00 per cord at the shipping point, yielded $14,400. This does not 
include the fuel wood used on farms, which would probably increase 
this figure by 20,000 cords. 

miscellaneous Proddicts. — It is known that small quantities of 
other products are produced and sold from the forests of the County, 
but as it was not possible to get reliable figures, they have been omitted 
from the estimates. They include small quantities of shingles cut 
by local mills, and used locally ; a large quantity of posts cut from 
the woodland and usually sold in the neighboirhood', also small quanti- 
ties of pulpwo'od, tanbark, and walnut logs gathered up by buyers 
who scout around the country for such material. 

THE WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES. 

An intensive study of the wood-usinig industries of Maryland 
was made in 1916, just prior to the disturbance of normal conditions, 
occasioned by the War.* The information obtained showed the 
amount of wood of the various kinds that went through many processes 
of manufacture after coming from the sawmills or the forests, and 
being converted into finished products. These industries are of the 
greatest importance to Baltimore County, since they furnish an ex- 
cellent market for home products. 

The industries of Baltimore City and' Baltimore County were 
not separated in this report, and while Baltimore City contains, 
probably, 95 per cent, of the industriies, their proximity to Baltimore 
County makes them almost a part of it. 

Baltimore City and County naturally lead the State in forest 
industries, as in all other kinds. Twenty-four per cent, of the County 
is wooded, and this and neiighboring counties produce' more than 
7,000,000 feet of the timber which it manufactures. It is, of course, 
-the heaviest importer in the State of high-priced foreign woods. All 
together, there are 38 varieties of wood' used by this trade in Baltimore. 
Manufactories of wood employ nearly 8,000 people in 164 plants. These 
plants are of prime importance to the industrial activity of the City 
and the State. With unparalleled shipping facilities by rail and 



*Wood-Using Industries of Maryland by F. W. Besley and J. G. Dorrance. 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 21 

men employed in maryland, by industries — table iii. 



Industry. 



1. Ship and boat building 

2. Boxes and crates, 

liaciing 

3. Planing mill ptoduets. 

4. Furniture 

5. Instruments, musical.. 

6. Vehicles and vehicle 

l)arts 

7. Brushes 

8. Car construction 

y. Baskets 

10 Fixtures 

11 Tanks and silos, 

cooperage 

12 W o o d e n w a r e and 

novelties 

13 Toys 

14 Boxes,, cigar 

15 Caskets and coffins 

16 Picture frames and 

mouldings 

17 Portable houses 

18. Trunks, valises, lug- 
gage 

1£). Molds and patterns... 

The State 

Average men per plant 

'Total firifis listed 



Baltimore. 



No. 
Men. 



1,901 

1,188 
942 
716 
628 



509 
20O 
260 
25 
306 



175 
175 
165 
115 



7,621 
44 



No. 
Plants. 



Balance of State. 



No. 

Men. 



173 
164 



646 
415 
575 
275 



75 
350 
200 
356 

66 



102 

19 



3,252 
21 



No. 
Plants. 



157 
118 



Total for State. 



No. 
Men. 



2,074 

1,834 

1,357 

1,291 

903 



584 
550 
460 
381 
372' 



237 

194 
175 
165 
115 



10,873 
33 



No. 
Plants. 



330 
282 



. * 282 represents total wood-using industries in Maryland. 

330 also represents the 282 firms, some of which, however, manufacture more than one 
wood product, and are therefore divided accordingly and indicated more than once. 



O-) 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 



BALTIMORE CITY (AND COUNTY) 
AMOUNT OF WOOD USED, SOURCE, AND COST— TABLE TV. 



Kind of Wood. 



Mary- 
land 
Grown 



United 
States. 



Foreign. 



Total 
Bd. Ft. 



Per 

Cent. 

of 
Whole. 



At. Cost 

PerM 
at Fac- 
tory. 



Total 

Cost 

F. O. B. 

Factory. 



1. S. yellow pines. 

2. Oak species 

3. Cypress 

4. Black gum 

5. Basswood 



6. Tulip poplar .. 

7. E.' white pine. 

8. Chestnut 

9. Red maple 

10. Red gum 



1,804,000 
4,633,000 

95.000 



300.000 



639,000 



11. Hard maple ... 

12. Beech ... 

13. Yellow buckeye. 

14. Mahogany 

15. Douglas fir 

16. W. white pine... 

17. Hickory species. 

18. Ash species 

19. Birch species ... 
SO. Eastern spruce.. 



104,000 
11,000 



21. Spanish cedar 

22. Hemlock 

23. Black walnut . 

24. Cotton gum.. 

25. American elm 



26. Circassian walnut, 

27. Western spruce ... 

28. Cherry 

29. Cedar species — 

30. Lignum-vitae 

31. Rosewood 

32. Cucumber 

33. Teak 

34. Tamarack 

35. Redwood 

36. Holly 

37. Sycamore 

38. Boxwood 

Totals 



35,000 



35,000 



156,281.000 

10,759,000 

7,962,000 

6,940,000 

6,183,000 

5,834,000 
4,114,000 
2,627,000 
2,140,000 
2.137,000 

1,282,000 
1,230,000 
1,000,000 

860,000 

820,000 
582,000 
648,000 
609,000 
485,000 



200,000 
152,000 
175.000 
163,000 



100,000 
61,000 
52,000 



15,000 



5,000 
1,000 

;,ooo 

1,000 



937,000 



332,000 



115,000 



30,000 

26,000 

9,0(X) 



1,000 



158,085.000 

15,391,000 

7,962,000 

7,035,000 

6,183,000 

6,134,000 
4,114,000 
3,166,000 
2,140,000 
2,137,000 

1,283,000 

1,230,000 

1,000,000 

937,000 

860,000 

820,000 
686,000 
659,000 
609,000 
485,000 

332,000 
200,000 
187,000 
175,000 
163,000 

115,000 

100,000 

96,000 

62,000 

30,000 

26,000 

15,000 

9,000 

5,000 

1,000 

1,000 
1,000 

i.ooo 



70 
7 
4 
S 
3 

3 

2 

1.5 

1 

1 



$17.85 
40.99 
35.82 
19.12 
29.88 

47.39 
49.16 
29.46 
21.88 

22.62 

35.19 
20.33 
50.00 
138.26 
34.97 

34.48 

39.61 
47.02 
24.48 



229.52 

26.00 

103.37 

29.86 

1 34.66 



228.26 
35.00 
71.15 
56.83 

162.50 

348.07 
39.00 

350.00 
50.00 
55.00 

126.00 
120.00 
120.00 



,821,126 
630,806 
285,182 
134,510 

184,774 

290,679 

202,229 

93,264 

46,825 

48,345 

45,119 
25,000 
50,000 
129,547 
30,075 

28,275 
41,240 
26,095 
28,636 
11,875 

76,200 
5,200 

19,330 
5,2^5 
5,650 

26,250 
3,500 
6,830 
2,955 
•4,875 

9,050 
585 

3,150 

250 

55 

126 
120 
120 



7,555,000 



213,419,000 



1,450,000 



222,424,000 



100 



$23.72 



$5,323,073 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 23 

water, there is no reason why Baltinioa^e should mot continue a leader 
in the manufacture of forest products along the Atlantic Coast. 

PROTECTING THE FORESTS. 

The chief causes ■responsible for the poor condition of the forests 
of the County are forest fires, destructive methods of cutting, pastur- 
ing the woodland, insects and tree diseases. 

Forest Fires. — The chief causes of forest fires are hunters and 
campers, brush burning, railroads, and incendiarism. Nearly all 
fires could be prevented with reasonable care. 

The Maryland Foirest Laws impose heavy penalties upon any- 
one who sets fire to woodlands, not his own. Anj owner who' sets 
fire on his own land and allows it to escape to the injury of other lands 
is liable tor the cost of extinguishing the fire, and for the damage 
that is done to adjacent property. Fire damage in Baltimore County 
has not been excessive, due to the isolated character of many of the 
woodlands, and also that most of the woodlands are on farms where 
a closer watch for fires is possible. Nevertheless, the annual loss from 
forest fires is consideraible, and a fire that burns over any wooidland 
does serious damage in reducing the productive capacity of the forests. 

The effects of fire are: (a) the Iburning of the leaves and litter 
on the ground which are needed to conserve the moisture, to protect 
the seed and to fertilize the soil: (b) the destruction of the seed, and 
young seedlings that have already started, and which are so essential 
for the renewal of the forests : (c) the burning of t(he cambium, or , 
living wood, of young trees, on the side most exposed to fire, causing 
the bark to peel off, thus exposing the wood to decay. The tree be- 
comes stunted, decay enters the wood and gradually works its way up 
into the trunk, rendering the tree practically worthless: (d) a severe 
fire in the brush, left by logging operations, often kills all the trees 
that lemain, entailing a total loss of growing stock. 

Preventive Measures. — In the case of small woodlands, surround- 
ed by cultivated land, the danger from forest fires is very much! re- 
duced. But where the woodlands are in large tracts, particularly 
where they border public highways or railroads, the danger is great- 
ly increased. 

The most effective preventive measures are extreme care on the 
part of the owner and his employees engaged in work in the woods, 



24 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

and the elimination, sO' far as possible of dead and down timber* and 
dry tops. Where there is a particular fire hazard, such as aliong the 
borders of the roadways and railways, all inf lammaible ma.terlial should 
be removed for some distanioe from the edges of ithe roadways, and 
along the rights-of-way of the railroads.*' Woods roads through 
the property should be kept clear of inflammable material to serve 
as fire lines, from which fires that occur may be more easily and more 
effectively combated. 

Destructive Cutting Metliods. — In past years when timber was 
cheap, usually only the best was taken from the woodland, and that 
of the poorer species and poorer quality was left. This praiCtice 
has continued for many years, niearly all of the forests having been 
cut over in this way, with the result that culled foirests are the pre- 
\ailing type. Most of the forests have been cut over two or three 
times, and under this system of always removing the best, rapid de- 
terioration has followed. Not only that, but the remaining small 
trees of no merchantable value have been recklessly destroyed in tak^ 
ing out the larger timber, and there has been an excessive amount of 
waste in logging methods. The woods have been strewn with dead 
tops and brush, covering or weighing down the younig trees, and at 
the same time greatly increasing the fire hazard. 

To correct such abuses and to restore forest productivity, the 
cutting should be made in such a way as to favoil the most valuable 
species, and to eliminate, so far as practicable, the undesirable species 
.and the crooked and defective trees, even of the valuable species. 
This necessitates the careful selection of trees by the owner in any 
cutting that may be done. Especially in taking out trees for fire- 
wood, the pooirer kind should be taken, thereby improving the char- 
acter and oomposition and leaving the more desirable trees for re- 
producinig the forest. 

Grazing. — It is a common practice, throughout the County, to 
include the woodland in the permanent pasture. This has resulted 
in serious damage by creating conditions unfavorable to tree growth. 
The soil becomes hard and dry from the constant tramping of the 
cattle, the seed bed is destroyed, and the growth of the trees seriously 
checked, if not altogether stopped. The woodland becomes open and 
very much understocked, due to the destruction of the young growth, 

♦Railroad companies will, usually burn such strips at their expense, when 
requested to do so by the owner. 




PLATE II. PIG. 1. — DEVASTATION. 
Caused by unrestricted timber operation. 




PLATE II. FIG. 2. — PROTECTION. 

The result of a tiraber operation where the trees for cutting- were marked by the State 
i^oard o± Forestry, the small trees and young- growth being- fully protected 

for a second crop. 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 25 

anid it ceases to be of value for timber production. The small amiouiit 
of pasturage is poor pay for the loss in the production of timber, and 
the result is that there is neither good pasture nor good woodland. 

Insects And Fungi. — 'No serious insect attacks have been report- 
ed from Baltimore County. While immense damage is done each year 
to shade trees, comparatively little damage is done to the trees in the 
forest. Here the insects seem to be held in check by their natural 
enemies. 

The one fungus disease that has been particularly destructive 
is the chestnut blight which has badly affected, practically, all the 
chestnut. This disease attacks only the chestnut, and' there appears 
no danger of its spread to other kinds of trees. There is no practical 
method of control, and the chestnut, as a commercial tree species, 
appears to be doomed. This is the more unfortunate, because it is 
one of the most valua!ble trees in the woodland. It m by far the best 
pole timber available, and one for which there is no suitable substitute. 

FOREST MANAGEMENT. 

No County is more favorably located for the practice of forestry 
than is Baltimore, and few counties have suffered more from the lack 
of good forestry practice. The growing of timber is just as certainly 
crop production as is the growing of corn or wheat, and like any 
other crop from the soil, certain cultural operations can be conduct- 
ed with much profit in icreasing the final yield. These operations 
can often be so conducted as to bring in an immediate revenue, and 
at the same time improve growth conditions. 

The farmer in handling his woodlands is in the very best position 
to give them the careful management that is required to get the 
maximum results. The work in the woods should be as carefully plan- 
ned as that in the fields, and with the same purpose in view — to get the 
maximum yield. The selection of the trees for cutting should not be 
left to inexperienced farm hands,with no thought other than getting 
wood in the easiest way, and having no permanent interest in the 
land. "Work in the woods can be done in the winter-time, when other 
work on the farm is not pressing. Frequently, woods^work provides 
employment for farm hands during the winter months, when they 
could not otherwise be profitably employed. 

A woodland is fully productive when the ground is occupied en- 



26 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

tirely, that is, to the exclusion of any open places, by the best trees 
of the best sp-ecies for which the soil is adapted. The proper density 
of the forest is, therefore, of pirime importance, for not only will the 
greater volume of wood be produced when the crowns of the trees 
are close enough together? to touch each other on all sides, but this 
crowding will produce tall straight trees with lonig clear stems that 
make the m'ost valuable timbers. After trees attain their principal 
height growth, they will require a little free space around their crown 
to promotie the greatest diameter growth. Starting then with a young 
thicket stand of any species, or with mixed species of trees, crowding 
is beneficial in that it forces the most likely ones into rapid height 
growth to keep them above their competitors, and the dense shade 
kills off the small lower branches that would otherwise make knotty 
timber. During the small pole stage (under 5 inches in diameter) 
the stand may be greatly improved by cutting out undesirable trees, 
such as black gum, ired maple, beech, etc., when they are overtopping 
or crowding the more valuable species, such .as the oaks, hickories, 
tulip poplar, etc. This is termed a "weeding" ^in a young stand, and 
is similar to the same operationi in the garden or cornfield, and for 
the same purpose. By working over the forest at frequent intervals, 
with the idea of always favoring the more promising trees, and remov- 
ing the undesirable ones as soon as they begin to interfere with the 
trees selected for the permanent stand, it is possible to mould the 
forest into the foirm desired. 

Instead of a fully stocked young forest, the problem may bel one 
of restocking and regenerating a badly burned and culled forest. In 
this case the important thing is to encourage a reproduction of the 
species best suited to the locality. Seed trees are generally present 
tO' begin with, and by keeping out fires a young growth' will, in most 
cases, spring up rapidly. As the young growth develops such of the 
inferior trees as were left in the former cutting operations should be 
cut and utilized, so that they will cease to overtop and check the 
growth of the young saplings. By a gradual process of thinnings 
and! improvement cuttings, the undesirable trees may be eliminated 
from the forest and a full stand of desirable trees secured for the 
final crop. 

Another common problem of forest management is that of a fo^r- 
est in which there is a considerable amount of merchantable material 
that the owner desires to cut and turn into money, but, at the same 



The Forests of Baltimore County. 27 

time, he wants to get it out in such a way that the producing power 
of the forest shall not be destroyed, since he intends to hold the wood- 
land for future timber crops. In most oases of this kind, there is al- 
ready on the ground a good younig'; growth, which, if properly pro- 
tected, will insure a satisfactory second crop. The main consideration 
should be to frame the cutting contract (if the timlber is not to be cut 
by the landowner) in such a way that the young growth will be saved. 
The usual practice is to specify a minimumi diameter limit, to be 
measured at a certain height from the ground. In cutting to a 
diameter limit the inferior species, such as gums, red maple and beech 
should be taken, as well as the more valuable species, since it is very 
desirable to prevent these inferior trees from gaining any advantage 
in the stand which is to succeed the one that is being cut. Unless 
special oare is taken in felling the trees, cutting roads, and getting out 
saw logs, a great deal of this young growth will be destroyed. Some 
damage is unavoidable, but unreasonable damage should be guarded 
against in framing the contract, even if the price secured for the 
timber is a little less in consequence. These are precautions such as 
any careful business man would take, and they will pay well in the end. 

The destruction of the chestnut, caused by thq chestnut blight, 
has introduced a new problem in forest mianagement. Where the 
chestnut represented only a small percentage of the mixture, natural 
seeding from the other species has generally taken the place of the 
trees killed by the blight. In place, however, where the chestnut 
forms 'a large percentage of the trees in the forest, the killing of this 
species has created gaps that will take many years to fill up satis- 
factorily, through natural means, ,and the importance of lartificial 
seeding, or planting, to fill up these open places is apparent. 

For this purpose, it will, ordinarily, be necessary to use trees 
that will stand a considerable amount of shade. For the high dry 
ridges, the planting of chestnut oak acorns will, probably, be most 
satisfactory, while on the slopes the planting -of white pinej seedlings 
is recommended. On the lower slopes and better soils, the planting 
of red oak lacorns, or of white pine seedlings, is to be reeomm^ended. 

The extent to which conservative forest management may be ap- 
plied in any case will depend upon a number of factors, chief of which 
are the danger of fire risk, and the market for the different kinds of 
forest products. If these conditions are favorable, there is the oppor- 
tunity to practice forestry very profita;bly. Even if there is a serious 



28 The Forests of Baltimore County. 

fire risk, and the present market conditions are not favorable, the 
fact remains that nearly all of this land will be held for timber pro- 
duction, and since that is the case, why not make the lands as pro- 
ductive as possible, especially as so much can be done by way of im- 
provement at little expense? The danger from fires will rapidly de- 
crease, as people generally come to appreciate the damiage they do, 
and as the State makes more liberal provisions for forest protection. 
The market for timber products is sure to improve, so that timber 
growing isi certain to become more remunerative. The landowners, 
who are taking eare of their forests now, will be the ones who will have 
the timber to sell a few years later, when so much better prices will, 
undoubtedly, be secured. 

FOREST PLANTING. 

The forest survey made in 1910-1911 showed 65,739 acres, orl7%, 
of the total land area of the County as waste land, exclusive of salt 
marshes. This represents land upon which there is growing no crop 
of value, and includes swamps, gullied hill sides, and other unpro- 
ductive areas. Practically, this entire area will grow timber, if plant- 
ed or seeded with suitable species of trees. 

There is such a wide range of valuaible native species in the 
County, that it is possible to find kinds suitable for any conditions 
that exist, and for most of the waste land, there is no more profitable 
crop that can be grown upon, it than timber. Some of this land is 
S'uitable for permanent pasture, and will, eventually, b^; so used, but 
for a large part of it, forest planting is the only solution of the 
problem. 

It is not alone on the waste lands of the County that planting is 
practicable, but there is need for much forest planting on other lands, 
such as the reinforcing of depleted woodlands, the providing for 
fenice posts and other timlbers on farms, where the supply of these 
materials is lacking; the planting of strips for wind-breaks; the 
planting of lands mow used for other purposes, that would bring 
better returns in a timber crop. 

Before planting is undertaken, the area that it is proposed to 
plant should be carefully examined, with a view to selecting the best 




PLATE III. FIG. 1.— AN ORIGINAL, FOREST. 

Consisting of mixed oak, hickory, tulip poplar, and so forth, of which little is left, but 
shows what can be grown again if properly protected and managed. 




PLATE III. FIG. 2 — A PLANTED FOREST. 

A plantation of white pine to take the place of chestnut, which is rapidly dying out- 

Mt. Wilson. 



The Forests of Baltimore County 29 

species, with reference to the soil, moisture conditions, and the pur- 
poses for which the timber is to be grown.* 

Trees For Forest Planting. — Black locust (Robinia pseudacacia) , 
also called yellow locust, or simply locust, is a native tree ofl rapid 
growth, producing a heavy, hard, durable wood, highly prized for 
fence posts, and for this purpose exceeds in value any other species. 
It casts so little shade that grass and weeds will grow under the trees 
and compete for moisture and soil fertility. For this reason and 
also because of possible attack from the locust borer, it is advised 
to plant it in mixture with other species, of somewhat slower growth, 
that will endure shade, and at the same time more completely shade 
the ground, such as white pine, or red oak. The trees should be 
spaced 6x6 feet, in alternate rows, with a row of white pine, or red 
oak, whichever is used in the mixture on the outside of the plantation. 
On good soils, the locust will grow 2 — 4 feet in height in a year. 
Fence posts will be produced in about 15 — 20 years, leaving the 
other species to produce a timber crop some years later. One-year- 
old locust seedlings should, generally, be used for establishing the 
plantation. 

White pine (Pinus strobus) is found growing naturally along the 
Gunpowder River, and in the northern half of the County, and is 
suitable for planting in all sections, except the southeastern on the 
Coastal Plain. It is a rapid growing tree, averaging from one to two 
feet in height, each year, and produces a soft, even-grained wood, 
useful for many purposes. It will produce saw timber in 30 to 40 
years on good soil. 

White pine is subject to attack by the white pine weevil, — an 
insect that bores into the leader and kills it, often causing a forked 
stem. This species has been extensively planted in the County, in 
the Gunpowder watershed lands owned by Baltimore City, and ap- 
pears to be making a most satisfactory growth. A, spacing of 6x6 
feet, using two year old seedlings, will, generally, give the best re- 
sults on land that is free from undergrowth. A mixture of locust 
with white pine is recommended as most practical for fully utilizing 
the ground, using the same spacing, 6x6 feet, but with alternate rows 



*Tha State Forester, Baltimore, Maryland, will upon request examine lands 
and prepare planting plans. Planting stock may be obtained from the State 
Nursery at small cost. 



30 The Forests op Baltimore County 

of locust, which will come out for fence posts and stakes, when the 
pine needs more room. 

Ked oak, (Quercus rubra) is one of the common native trees, 
suitable for forest planting on medium to good soil. It is the most 
rapid growing of the oaks, producing a heavy, hard strong wood, very 
useful on the farm for general construction purposes and for fuel 
wood. Red oak is fairly tolerant of shade, and therefore, useful for 
underplantinig in woodlands, in need of reinforcing. The best method 
of propagation is by planting the seeds, two or three in each hole, 
where the trees are needed. In establishing a plantation, a spacing of 
5x5 feet is recommended when seed is used, and 6x6 when seedlings 
are planted. 

Other species that can be recommended under specific conditions : 

"White ash, bottom lands or lower slopes. 

Tulip poplar, bottom lands or lower slopes. 

Black walnut, deep well-drained fertile soil. 

Shortleaf pine, dry upland soil. 

Loblolly pine, wet sandy soil of Coastal Plain, 

BASKET WILLOW CULTURE. 

The growing of basket willows is an important industry centered 
around Baltimore, particularly in the vicinity of Lansdowne, Patap- 
sco, Rosedale, and Catonsville. There are 13; willow gardens in Bal- 
timore County, comprising a little over 46 acres. This acreage could 
be greatly increased with profit, as there are extensive areas in the 
County suitable for the purpose. The best gardens are on flat land 
which, however, is not water soaked during the growing season. Wil- 
lows will grow on land that is wet during winter and spring, but 
they muiSit have reasonably dry surface conditions during the summer 
growing season. On the other hand, willows will not thrive on lands, 
where the permanent water table is more than 6 feet below the surface. 

There are three standard varieties that are principally used, the 
Lemley, the American Green, and the Welsh. In Baltimore County, 
there are 20.25 acres in Lemley, 21.50 in American Green, and 4.50 in 
Welsh. The net annual returns from willow gardens when established, 
range from $75 to $200 per acre. Further information about willow 
culture is contained in a report of the State Board of Forestry en- 
titled ''Basket Willow Culture in Maryland," by Karl E. Pfeiffer, 
Assistant Forester. 



The Forests of Baltimore County 31 



BALTIMORE COUNTY REPORT. 



SUMMARY. 

103,515 acres, 24% of the land area of Baltimore County, is in 
woodland. This area is sufficient to supply the timber requirements, 
if maximum production is secured. 

The woodlands are confined, generally, to the rocky ridges, steep 
slopes, otr wet bottom lands — soils not suited for field crops. 

The forest lands are not producing more than one-half of their 
maximum yield, due to forest fires, destructive cutting methods, graz- 
ing, and tree diseases, causing depleted woodlands. 

Adequate forest fire protection and good forest management 
would in a few years increaise timber production and forest revenues 
50%. 

The demand for forest products is exceptionally good, transpor- 
tation for such products to nearby markets especially favorable, re- 
sulting in good prices. 

The timber cut of the County amounts to more than 14,000,000 
ft. board measure, annually, with a value of nearly $600,000 at the 
shipping points. 

The wood-using industries of Baltimore City and Baltimore 
County include 164 plants, employing nearly 8,000 people, using 
222,424,000 ft. iboard measure of lumber for which they pay $5,323,000. 

There are 65,739 acres of waste land in the County upon which 
nothing of value is being produced. Most of this area is suitable for 
forests which, if planted to trees, will produce >a good paying crop. 

TJhe growing of basket willows is, probably, the most profi-table 
use of many small areas of low ground lalong streams subject to over- 
flow and too wet for other cultivated crops. 



MAP 

BALTIMORE COUNTY 

AND 

BALTIMORE aiT 

SH(nvi\(, riiK 

FOREST AREAS 

COMMERCIAL TYPES 

MARYLAND BOARD OF FORESTRY 
1914 



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